Kentucky Owl St. Patrick’s Limited Edition Review

Blended by Irish Whiskey maker Louise McGuane of J.J. Corry Irish Whiskey, the Kentucky Owl St. Patrick’s Limited Edition is a celebration of Irish and Kentucky whiskey traditions… or something like that. The whiskey itself is a blend of 4-11 yo Bourbon that was co-blended by Kentucky Owl’s John Rhea and the aforementioned Louise. An interesting take to have a guest blender, though far from the first “Irish-Bourbon” whiskey.

A few years ago I reviewed the John L. Sullivan Irish Bourbon, a brand that only lasted one year on the market because its label was not TTB compliant despite having passed through TTB approval (happens all the time). The Sullivan was a blend of Irish Single Malt and Bourbon and it was actually quite good. Which is exactly what I’m wondering about with this KO: is it any good?

Let’s get to drinkin’ and find out!

Kentucky Owl St. Patrick’s Limited Edition – Details and Tasting Notes

 

Whiskey Details

Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Style: Bourbon (Straight)
Region: Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Undisclosed
Blender/Bottler: Kentucky Owl

Mash Bill: At least 51% Corn + Rye + Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 4+ years
ABV: 50%

Batch: St. Patrick’s Edition
Release: 1

Kentucky Owl St. Patrick’s Limited Edition Price: $150*

Related Whiskey

Kentucky Owl Confiscated Bourbon
John L. Sullivan Irish Bourbon
Old Bardstown Bourbon
Barton 1792 Small Batch
Ezra Brooks Bourbon

“The Kentucky Owl St. Patrick’s Limited Edition is a blend of Kentucky Straight Bourbons varying in age from 4 – 8 years old each coming in with their own unique flavor characteristics.” – Kentucky Owl

Kentucky Owl St. Patrick’s Limited Edition Tasting Notes

EYE
Amber

NOSE
Graham cracker, corn, vanilla, oak, toffee, baking spice and a touch of cocoa.

There’s something in there that’s almost a fruity sweetness, but not quite. An intriguing sweet note.

PALATE
Caramel, oak, graham, cocoa, vanilla, baking spice and some leather with a bit of nuts.

This is one of the spicier Kentucky Owl bourbons I’ve tasted.

FINISH
Med-long -> Baking spice, oak and some citrus pop in before fading to hazelnuts and vanilla.

BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Decent balance, medium body and a soft velvety feel.

Kentucky Owl St. Patrick’s Limited Edition – Overall Thoughts and Score

As it opens the nose picks up a bit more oak and gets a bit darker, and sweeter, overall with the toffee note rising up a bit more. On the palate, the spice and oak slowly build till they’re the dominant character and the sweetness moves toward the back. After a while, the aroma and the palate diverge in the overall profile.

Not a bad bourbon at all. The most intriguing thing about the Kentucky Owl St. Patrick’s Limited Edition are the spice notes that slowly grow as it opens. After a while, it almost becomes a spice bomb and that’s not something I’ve had in a bourbon in a while.

SCORE: 3.5/5 (tasty, worth checking out ~ B | 83-86)

*Disclosure: The bottle for this bourbon review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.

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